Caitlin Clark jokes she couldn’t wait for the WNBA Draft to END as she opens up on whirlwind week after getting drafted by Indiana Fever: ‘There’s pressure on my shoulders to be good’
- Caitlin Clark was selected by the Fever with the first pick in the WNBA Draft
- The former Iowa Hawkeye signed an eight-year, $28 million contract with Nike
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
As Caitlin Clark settles into the offseason routine with the Indiana Fever, the No. 1 overall pick revealed how she was looking forward to the end of the draft festivities.
On April 15, Indiana selected the Iowa basketball sensation in one of the most historic draft classes in recent memory.
After her first practice in Indiana, Clark spoke to the media about the relief after draft week. During her statements, the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer joked that she was “excited” that media obligations were over so she could get back on the court.
“I think that’s what I was most excited about, getting all that other stuff out of the way,” Clark said. “The draft was great, New York City was great, Los Angeles was great, but I was excited to come here and play basketball again, you know, and do my job.
Clark enters the WNBA after back-to-back championship games to cap off her storied college career. Despite losing to LSU and South Carolina respectively, Clark’s stardom increased tenfold during her senior year.
Caitlin Clark joked she was ‘excited’ about the end of WNBA Draft festivities
The former Iowa star was drafted by the Indiana Fever with the first overall pick earlier in April
Clark led the Hawkeyes to back-to-back NCAA championship games
Unsurprisingly, she was already making waves in the WNBA before she even stepped onto the court.
Clark’s participation caused a spike in Fever ticket sales and WNBA interest. At the same time, 36 of Indiana’s 40 games will be on national television this season.
The former Hawkeye also benefited from an eight-year, $28 million contract with Nike. The deal, which includes a signature shoe line, is the most lucrative sponsorship deal for a women’s basketball player.
With all the buzz from her college career building to the pros, Clark is embracing the pressure and staying focused on winning with the Fever.
“I think whatever happens, there will be expectations and pressure on my shoulders and this team will be really good. That’s how you want it,” Clark said.
“We wouldn’t have it any other way,” she added. “We want people to come to our games, people expect us to win a lot of basketball games this year and I expect myself to play very well. I don’t think it’s anything that’s ever been different for me.”